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Ohio panel OKs rules on aborted fetal remains

Posted: 5:52 PM, Apr 13, 2016

Updated:2016-04-13 17:52:50-04

By:
Associated Press

<p>A bill passed Tuesday in the Ohio Senate would ban state money from going to organizations that provide abortions, like this Planned Parenthood location in Cincinnati. A House vote will take place next week. </p>

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An Ohio House panel has approved legislation that would require abortion providers to cremate, bury or incinerate fetal remains.

Both bills would leave that decision to the pregnant woman. Without her choice, the providers would make the arrangements.

Sponsors of the two House bills say their proposals seek to clarify the state's vague regulations while ensuring the unborn are treated with dignity. Opponents argue the legislation is medically unnecessary, puts women's privacy at risk and is designed to shutter abortion clinics.

On Wednesday, the Republican-dominated House health committee approved new versions of the bills that contained a variety of changes.

A few key differences remain between the proposals.

One specifies the remains must be incinerated individually without other medical waste. It also would impose criminal penalties for violations.